PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Anthony Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ward Henry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ward Henry has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Diaz
vs
Henry

188 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
207 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Counter fighter
Big heart

Good kicks
Granite chin

Oblivion Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Anthony Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ward Henry!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Dirk Anderson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henry delivers a nice body kick.
Henry throws a body kick that misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Diaz misses its target.
Henry misses with an attempted mid kick.
Diaz jabs Henry to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Henry throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
Diaz takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Henry throws a push kick but Diaz slaps the foot to one side.
Diaz swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Diaz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Diaz checks a low kick from Henry.
Diaz throwing a counter right hand but Henry manages to avoid it.
Henry wants to slow Diaz down by chopping away at his legs.
A telegraphed right hand from Diaz misses the target.
Henry connects with a solid leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henry throws a body kick that misses.
Henry throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Diaz looks to throw the jab but Henry is out of range.
Ward Henry seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Henry misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Diaz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Henry throws a push kick but Diaz slaps the foot to one side.
Henry looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Henry throws a sloppy head kick and Diaz moves out of range easily.
Henry connects with a leg kick. Diaz looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Diaz crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Henry - the referee stops the clock and Diaz gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Henry. Diaz manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Diaz throws a jab but it's blocked by Henry.
Diaz lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Henry goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Diaz takes a kick to the side of the head.
Henry lands a nice leg kick that just misses Diaz's sensitive parts.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Henry, right into the meat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henry tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Diaz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Diaz swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henry looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Henry lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry scores with a leg kick.
Diaz looks to throw the jab but Henry is out of range.

Henry fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Diaz, pushing him back against the cage.
Diaz tries to circle away but Henry has him pinned against the cage.
Henry connects with a knee to the head.
Diaz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Diaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Henry has him pressed against the cage.
Diaz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Henry with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Henry with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Diaz breaks the clinch.
Henry throws a body kick that misses.
Diaz is looking for a counter combo.
Henry walks into a straight right hand from Diaz.
Henry throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A solid body kick from Henry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Henry tenderised Diaz's leg. Diaz is trying to keep his angry face on.
Diaz scores with a hook to the body. Henry takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Henry tries to land a body kick
and Henry takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Diaz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Henry looking to land some kicks to the body here.
An inside leg kick from Henry misses.
Diaz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Henry fakes the leg kick and cracks Diaz in the body.
That kick from Henry tenderised Diaz's leg. Diaz is trying to keep his angry face on.
Henry on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Henry misses with an uppercut. Diaz saw that one coming.
Henry throws a quick inside leg kick.
A solid body kick from Henry.
Diaz steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Henry. That one must have hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Diaz crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Henry - the referee stops the clock and Diaz gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Henry. Diaz manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Diaz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Henry tries to clinch
and Diaz counters with a stiff right hand.
Henry has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Diaz finds it's way round the side to connect with Henry's head.
Henry misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Henry takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Henry bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Henry slips under a jab.
Henry turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Diaz moves out of range of the body kick.
Henry tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Henry.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henry throws a wild body kick that Diaz sees coming a mile off.
Diaz connects with a right hand. Henry shakes it off.
Henry connects with a solid leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ward Henry dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Diaz closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Henry throws a half hearted mid kick.
Diaz throws a hook but Henry avoids it easily.
Henry looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Henry fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Diaz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Henry tries to clinch but Diaz moves out of range.
Henry throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Diaz.
Henry throws a body kick that misses
enabling Diaz to counter with a crisp jab.
Good leg kick by Henry there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Diaz is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Henry tries to close the distance and clinch up but Diaz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Henry blocks a jab.
Diaz misses with a looping left.
Diaz walks forward, straight into a front kick from Henry.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henry tries to clinch there but Diaz circles away.
Henry wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Henry takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Diaz takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Diaz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Henry manages to avoid it.
Diaz will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Diaz blocks the body kick.
Henry doesn't manage to clinch there - Diaz circles away.
Henry scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Henry takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Henry thows a leg kick but Diaz checks it
and Diaz counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Henry connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry connects with a leg kick. Diaz looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Henry tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Henry chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Diaz chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Henry can pounce on him.
Henry looks to throw a body kick
and Diaz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Henry tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Diaz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henry keeps Diaz at a distance using the push kick.
Diaz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Diaz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Henry tries to land a front kick but Diaz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Henry thows a body kick. Diaz tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Henry tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Diaz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Diaz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Diaz moves out of range of the leg kick from Henry.
Diaz seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry takes one to the side of the head.
Henry fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Diaz is out of range.
Diaz slips a straight right by Henry.
Diaz avoids the head kick by Henry.
Diaz keeps the fight on the outside.
Henry pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Henry connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Diaz takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A quick step to the side and Diaz tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henry tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Diaz circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Diaz to counter with a crisp jab.
A big right from Diaz misses.
Henry throws a head kick that misses
and Diaz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry tries to clinch up but Diaz circles away and keeps his distance.
Diaz avoids a kick to the body.
Diaz jabs at Henry's body.
Henry tries to clinch but Diaz is having none of it.
Diaz swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Henry tries to clinch up but Diaz circles away and keeps his distance.
Henry avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Henry does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Diaz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Diaz throws a jab when Henry was well out of range.
Diaz is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Henry looks to land a body kick but Diaz moved away.
Henry uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diaz.
Henry thinks about the counter body kick.
Diaz checks a leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Diaz on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Diaz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Diaz dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A combination from Diaz does no damage.
Henry tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Diaz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Diaz seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Diaz throws a lazy right hand but Henry sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Diaz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Diaz lands a lovely overhand right.
Diaz lands a body shot.
Henry tries to close the distance and clinch but Diaz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Diaz is looking to counter punch.
Henry lands with a kick to the temple. Diaz shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A solid body kick from Henry.
Henry scores with a spinning back kick!
Henry lands a nice looking kick to the body. Diaz takes a step back to recover.
Henry throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz looks to land a left hand but Henry moved out of range nicely.
Diaz looks to land a left hand but Henry moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry lets loose with a powerful body kick. Diaz will feel that in the morning.
Henry pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Henry fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Henry throws a quick inside leg kick.
Diaz misses with a body shot.
Henry throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ward Henry seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Henry tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Diaz lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Henry throws a leg kick
and Diaz counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice body kick there by Henry.
Henry tries to clinch but Diaz moves away
and Diaz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Henry throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Diaz counters with a stiff right hand.
Henry is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Henry turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Henry throws a wild body kick that Diaz sees coming a mile off.
Henry looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Henry closes the distance but Diaz moves to the side
and Diaz counters with a left to the body.
Henry throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Diaz counters with a nice uppercut.
Diaz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Henry tries to counter by closing the distance.
Henry looks for the body kick but Diaz saw that one coming.
Henry looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Henry is looking to land body kicks.
Henry misses with an attempted mid kick.
Diaz throws an off balance right hand
and Henry counters with an outside leg kick.
Henry lands with a thumping leg kick.
Henry throws a nice head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry looks to score with a jab to the body but Diaz is just out of range.
Henry lands a nice leg kick that just misses Diaz's sensitive parts.
Diaz misses with an uppercut

and Henry counters by moving into the clinch.
Henry misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Diaz.
Henry is trying to maintain a safe position but Diaz gets an underhook and turns Henry into the cage.
Henry takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diaz is trying to push Henry away but Henry has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Diaz wants to get back to striking at distance but Henry won't allow it.
Henry with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Diaz tries to break free but Henry pushes him back against the cage.
Henry tries a knee to the head but Diaz blocks it.
Henry has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Diaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Henry has him pressed against the cage.
Diaz is looking to break free of the clinch but Henry has double underhooks.
Henry tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Henry misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Diaz.
Diaz can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Diaz's efforts to push away.
A head punch on the inside from Henry fails to land.
Henry misses with a knee to the head.
Diaz tries to circle away but Henry has him pinned against the cage.
Diaz blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Henry landing knees to the body.
Henry tries to land a knee to the head but Diaz blocks with his arms.
Diaz on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Diaz working hard to break the clinch.

Diaz breaks from the clinch.
A jab from Diaz misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Henry. Diaz shrugs it off though.
Henry throws a leg kick but Diaz moved away.
Diaz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A shot to the liver by Diaz. Beautiful body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ward Henry comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Henry has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ward Henry!
A very excited looking Ward Henry made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
In defeat, Anthony Diaz stepped up to the mic, saying 'Well, that was quite a rodeo. Props to the other guy, but I'll be back training at the gym soon!'.